Medium information gathering thread - For FAQ inclusion

[Sureshot]

I want to know about your mediums, I'm working through the FAQ and rather than repeat what we have I'm going for targeted help from you guys. I'm working through the WIP (Work In Progress) section 2, lighting and ventilation are all but done (anyone fancy building an odor killer?) and now we move to medium. It's a big area and one that can be taken from many angles dependent on your life view as much as your growing style and technique. For that obvious reason it very much needs to be a collective work...

So...

Tell me about medium, about what you grow IN.

Anything and everything, every little gem of knowledge medium related.

Some examples:

I grow organic because...

I grow hydroponically in coco coir because...

The best way to set up a hydroponic ebb and flow system is...

Hydroponics and dirt growing have both have advantages and disadvantages...

My dirt mix consists of...

When using rockwool slabs make sure you...

etc etc etc etc

Get creative people, I want to know everthing about WHATEVER medium you have used to grow your canna to sticky bounty.

All stages, all mediums, all strains, hell all plants, come one, come all, enlighten us.

The floor, as they say, is open..........

[Governor]

Sunshine #4 for a soil medium. Very little nutrients in it and I prefer it that way since the feeding of plants should be in a controlled enviroment.

I especially like it for clones since it's neutral.

Age Old nutrients but looking into a couple others.

All my plants are innoculated with mycorrhizal as soon as they start showing roots. Incredible results.

[kiWikkid]

Germinating seeds.
I've tried paper towels, peat pots, and soil trays. I prefer the "direct into soil" method, for the fastest germination and best success rate. Next time I will try small individual soil containers, as trying to dig germinated seeds out of the soil tray and not damage the tap root is a rather delicate operation.

Cloning.
I've tried rockwool, peat pots, but have yet to try direct into soil. I prefer the smallest size rockwool cubes, for overall ease of use, you can tell earlier on that they have definately rooted, and because rightly or wrongly, I consider them to be more sterile.

Growing plants.
I've tried various pre-mixed soils, and decided some were too acidic, some didn't have good drainage, and one I suspected had fungus gnat pupae; a plague just seemed to come from nowhere. I now make my own mix out of perlite/vermiculite/worm castings(organic), at a ratio of 3/2/2. I like this combo because the perlite gives excellent drainage and airation, the vermiculite helps retain nutrients and stops the soil drying out too quickly, and the worm castings is like pure fertilizer, but it doesn't burn the roots. This mix is pH neutral and organic. Supplementary feeding is important, I suspect this mix wont have all the levels of nutrients particularly micro-nutrients needed, especially for longer term grows, i.e more than 2-3 months (in this case repotting would be essential - as an indication after 2 months in a 10ltr pot, most of the worm castings will have been absorbed by a plant grown from a clone)

Important When mixing soils, and especially if you're using rockwool, perlite or vermiculite, use a face mask.

Going organic is just a personal thing. I eat as much organic food as possible as well.

I hope this is of some use, I guess everyone will have their own favourite, but its great to know what all the options are. Heck, I might even try the methods of some of the luminaries here. SS, I wasn't sure if you wanted ferts as well as the medium we use, if so I'll post that later.

SS, your a saint man, this FAQ is a big job you've taken on. Just so you know, there are people out there that really appreciate what you're doing.

[Sureshot]

Thanks Kiwikkid, and much appreciated for that post, very useful.

Same to you Gov. A definate entry in mychorrhizal and general natural soil amendments is going to have to go in.

Come on guys, I need more more more!!

What does hydroponics mean

Hydroponics is derived from the Greek translations of water and labour, hydro and ponos, and literally means "water-working." Simply speaking it is a technique of growing plants (without soil) in water containing dissolved nutrients.

Hydroponic Mediums

Hydroponic mediums are inert and sterile substances that replace the soil in providing your plants support and a place to spread roots. The medium needs to provide this support whilst allowing good drainage and aeration but some level of water retention.

There are two basic types of hydroponics medium, fibrous medium and granulated mediums.

Within each of these categories there are several choices of mediums:

Fibrous Mediums

- Rockwool - slabs
- Greenmix/Goldenwool - shredded (bagged) rockwool
- Coco Coir - available in slabs and bagged

Granulated Mediums

-Expanded Clay
-Perlite
-Vermiculite

...................M ore to add later.

[Sureshot]

Y'all suspend your plants in the air?

[FlowersInMyHair]

I like clay pebbles over rockwool or the lites. Much more earth friendly. You can reuse them almost infinitely and they weigh a little more so you don't get toppling plants if they get heavy flower formations, not if, i mean WHEN!!

[Sureshot]

Thanks Flowers, I definately agree, that tidbit shall go in for sure!

Welcome to the hooka by the way.

Anyone ever tried Diahydro (Diatomaceous Earth)?

It's a PH neutral, inert, silica rock consisting of fossilised freshwater algae shells (diatoms). Salt water variants are available but contain impurities which reduce the benefits of the material substantially. The silica content itself is a positive given that silica is an essential component of plant growth and although it is dissolved from almost all rocks diahydro is 87 - 94% (source:company literature) silica.

Diatoms are extremely porous and have a huge relative surface area hence are able to absorb and retain plenty of water and oxygen. It's also very insulating helping to keep in warmth and give your root systems a more constant environment.

It also offers pretty unique protection from insects given that it's microscopic sharp edge puncture insect exo sleletons!!!! Hardcore medium!!!

Never used it myself as I am a little sceptical about the eco friendliness of its production, anyone else ever run with it?

Come on guys, any medium related information for the FAQ? Come on, you know you want to?

[Dandaweedman]

Here is my lame mixture buddy

3 gallons peat moss ( Canadian only sorry )
1/2 gallon Vermiculite
1/2 gallon Perlite
500 ml Blood meal
500 ml Bone meal
1 extra large fattie

Place into 5 gallon pail remember the damn lid and shake till arms are sore.

And I always do first water after transplant or for seedlings with fish emulsion mix, whether they are in flower or veg and they never falter.

That's it buddy.

Daniel

[v3d4]

i like small rockwool cubes for both clones and seeds becuz it seems you cant possibly overwater. i have had great success with seedlings and cuttings just sitting in a tray with a few mm of water in the bottom
however, i think its important to cover the tops so light does not shine on them or algae can grow on the surface and block the 'breathing' or gas exchange.

the very easiest hydro grow ever was in long rockwool slabs that came wrapped in plastic: poke a hole in one end for a tube to pump water in, a drain hole out the other end, a few holes in the top to plug in the plants, and Bob's your uncle!
after harvest tho, the big root and water-filled slab weighed a ton and was a pain to get rid of.
but rockwool is kindof evil stuff, not very eco friendly and the dust is very bad to breathe or get on your skin, so it should be kept wet and never handled without proper safety gear.

i also like the clay pellets (also called hydroton) for the reasons mentioned above but i have had toppling plant problems during flowering.

ive had good sucess with clones and seedlings in peat pellets (also called jiffy pots) but its important to remember that they will hold a lot of water for a long time

i have had good results with straight home made organic compost. i was afraid it would be too strong and burn them but they grew with more vigor than sister clones in store bought potting soil

ive had varied results with soil i just shoveled out of the garden, one main drawback being that it was full of seeds, and all kinds of unwanted weeds began to sprout in the pot with my good weed.

[Sureshot]

Nice posts guys....

More more more.

[Peace seeker]

During my outdoor summer grow i used regular garden store soil with red humus california worm for fert during vegging. When flower started i used concetrated seaweed extract which helped alot for crystal production and thick buds.

The plants were growing in a rather hot climate (30-42C) under alot of sunshine. At one point i noticed that the plants liked a half shaded (cooler) spot better. The leafs started getting deep green again.It needed the shade believe it or not.

2/3 pots were 20L pots and the other one was a 60liter pot. The difference between the plants was huge. Plants love big pots. Water drains and spreads more equally and the soil is more balanced.


Watered every day cause the sun was drying the black pots by noon..

I should have used perlite in the soil, because it got very dense towards the end of flowering. Its also good to use a root stimulant (i didnt) cause the plant can absorb more nutrients and water.

I hope me next grow will be in the forest straight in the ground. Plants should be "free". It aint fair "caging" them (in pots) and then kill em after our "job" is done.

They provide us with herb, we should grant them their freedom and let em live free in the forest after harvest.Know what i mean?


(back to topic) Used feminised seeds and was happy with the result. In 5-6 ounces of weed i found maybe 4-5 seeds (minimum hermaphrodism). I might try to germinate one of them see what it does.


I m also considering of using the Bcuzz line from atami next time. Grow booster, bloom booster and taste improver. For my veggies too.


Gardening is a great hobbie and it doesnt matter what you re growing. From herb to tomatoes, zuchinis, eggplants, peppers...

ps: by the way it was my first grow and i didnt expect this much potency from the buds. I guess outdoor grown buds usually come out pretty strong and sweetfully aromatic.

Total organic growing. Even without flushing before harvest, bud taste, aroma and buzz quality are superb. It might be a heady sativa but with no para or a comedown.

Has you coming back for more...

[greenmAn42]

For my last grow, I went hydroponic using rockwool and hydroton. My results were okay but lack of light meant lack of mass in my case. I now have a 400 watt hps in a c22 cab vegging my 8 future ladies....hopefully. This grow I am going with organics for it forgiving nature and down to Earth taste ...

I'm using Fox Farm Ocean Forrest soil..I absolutely love it. feeding just PH'ed water for 3-4 weeks is pretty relaxing. There's enough ferts in the soil for that amount of time. And for those of you that have heard it burns seedlings - I haven't burned one yet.

When it comes time to fertilize I have PBP Grow & Bloom, Fox Farm Grow Big, & Earth Juice Bloom. I am investing in some ClearEx, a salt-leeching mixture for flushing every 3-4 weeks, and some superthrive for early in flowering to promote vigorous growth of budsites.

As mentioned, this is my first organic grow...So some tweaking will definately be in order. I'm 2 weeks in right now on most of the young ones. I might not use the PBP's and EJ and just stick to FF Grow Big, Tiger, and Big Bloom, while using superthrive and clearex in to supplement the growth..

Anyone have experience with these?

By the way, great thread, Sureshot! Interesting to see the diversity of the grows..and it's always good to learn as much as possible in the cultivation of our girl mj...

Cheers

[Sureshot]

Bounce.

[Peace seeker]

this year i m trying soils from biobizz

both light and all-mix

[smallarmsfire]

i pickup 2 20lb bags of foxfarm, 1 mammoth bag of perlite, and 10-20lbs of casting.


mix a small batch of 40FF/20EC/40P and the seeds go in there. premix with 50% bcuzz root stim in r/o water. feed no ferts.

mix a medium batch of 30FF/30EC/40P and thats for the pot-up to 1 gallons. feed no veg ferts. begin bloom ferts 7-10 days prior to flower.

mix a large batch of 40FF/60P and thats what i pot up to before flower, in 3-5 gallons.



common practices:

I always prefer to pre-moisten my soil before filling new pots. that means when planting seeds or doing pot-ups. the soil is always moist and loose before the seed/plant is put into it. slightly hand-packed after deposit, but minimally. roots like oxygen. nothing like heavy drenches/soil packing to kill root vigour.


I like light mediums, because they allow me to better ascertain the amount of fertilizer that the individual plants like to consume. They are also resistant to drenching/clumping and can be counted on. I'm a big fan of consistency. By picking up a light-mixed pot, you can always tell exactly how much water is in it. Someone more patient can do the same with a heavy soil mix. I don' have the time.


I like organic nutes because I love the earthy smell and flavour provided by their use, and the tolerance that the plants have towards them. One can be assured that his ladies are very happy with organics. Pure Blend Pro has worked great for me, much easier to work with than Earth Juice and various tea blends i've tried.


I like root stims because they really fucking work. b'cuzz products deserve a plug.


I'm beginning to become a fan of the deep water.


I like using Clearex at the end of my cycles, because my results tell me that it improves the taste and unique aroma of particular varieties. I'm not really out to recreate a natural environment, but rather one that is optimal for my preferences.

[Cerebro]

I grow outdoor in trenches. I dig 2' x 5' x 2' deep.
My medium consists of existing dirt, basic potting mix, mushroom compost, and an organic slow release fert containing fish emulsion, blood and bone, and manure 4:3:2 npk. I put a layer of potash on the bottom of the trenches as by the time the roots get down there they are going into flower, I add perlite, and always add dolomite lime to sort out pH. I always cover soil with compost.

[iamislegrown]

I grow outdoors here in atlantic canada, my grow soil consist of:

Potting soil 60%
Perlite 15%
Sand 10%
Cow/
sheep manure 10%
Pre-mix 5%

The 10% cow/sheep manure can be substituted with worm castings, which I cannot get here.

[Dandaweedman]

I stickified this to keep it current and close to our heart-ons.